Operating mechanism for switches



Oct. 17, 1933. H, J, L, FRANK -FAL 1,931,319

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCHES Filed Ju1y.23, 1931 4 sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 17, 1933. H. J. L. FRANK Er AL OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCHES Filed July 23, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1933. H. J. L. FRANK Er AL OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCHES Filed July 25, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 17, 1933. H. J. L. FRANK Er AL OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCHES Filed July 23, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCHES Application July 23, 1931. Serial No. 552,684

11 Claims.

This invention relates to operating mechanisms for switches of the plug and receptacle type.

In the application of Harrison- J. L. Frank, Serial No. 353,343, filed April 9, 1929, there are disclosed switches employing receptacles' secured to a mounting board to form a complete panel, and fused plugs for coaction with the receptacles to close the circuits between the bus bars behind the receptacles and the load cables coming out of the end walls of the receptacles.

In Figs. 1 to -18 of that application, the devices are of the single plug type, that is to say, each receptacle is designed to accommodate one plug, whereas in Figs. 19 to 29 inclusive the receptacles are of the double plug type, that is to say, each receptacle accommodates two plugs which are inserted independently. Further, in Fig. 8 of the said application, there is disclosed a unit made up of three receptacles and three ganged plugs, the three plugs being inserted into the three receptacles in one operation, or as a unit.

In the devices of the said application, the plugs or fuse holders are plugged and inserted in the receptacles completely manually and are removed bodily, when desired, to a switch oi position or to a position away from the receptacles so that their under surfaces may be exposed` for fuse replaceinent. The fuse holders are manipulated by a simple plugging action, there being no supports, guides or the like by means of which switching operations are facilitated. It has proven desirable, however, to provide for units of the class described and disclosed in the foregoing application, mechanically operated switching mechanisms for the fuse holders, by means of which, switching action is facilitated.

The means-which are shown in the present application and which form an object of this invention, support the fuse holders and enable the operator to move a fuse holder from the on to the oil? position, and also enable him to swing the fuse holders out of the receptacle to a re-fuse position, one in which the under surfaces of the holders are exposed for fuse replacement. In general, the means are vso constructed that the first movement of the fuse holder is in a straight line path, whereas the second movement is in a curved path.

Suitable means may be provided on this device to indicate the position of the fuse holders with respect to the receptacles, such means generally being marked on and oif with one or the other of the markings being exposed for indicating purposes.

Further, certain of the modifications disclosed (Cl. 20G-163) are provided with latching means operating to maintain and latch a fuse holder in any one of a number of desired positions so that the condition of the circuit may be maintained in a desired status by the operator.

Further, the latching means may be so formed that padlock devices may be applied thereto to lock the parts in a desired position.

Another object of the invention is a panel board made up of units of the class described and disclosed in application Ser. No. 353,343, and provided With mechanism for facilitating switching operations.

It will be observed that a panel board of this character has most, if not all, of the advantages of a panel board of the type disclosed in application Ser. No. 353,343, and no recapitulation of the advantages of this type of board will be here presented.

A further object is an operating means of the class described above which operates with great rapidity and positively, so that switching operations are performed in a most expeditious fashion.

Still further objects will readily occur to those skilled inthe art upon reference to the following so description and the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1-3 are respectively, an elevational view, a compound view of the major operating parts, and a compound view of a double plug embodiment of the invention, the same being entitled Gr. I, Emb. a.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the three receptacles, six plug embodiment of Fig. 1.

Figs. 5-'7 are views like Figs. 1-3, of a single plug 90 embodiment, the same being entitled Gr. I, Emb. b.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the three receptacle, three plug embodiment of Fig. 5.

Figs. 9 to 11 are similar views of a double plug 95 embodiment, the same being entitled Group l1 Emb. a.

Grauen-amendment (a) Fm. 1 4. Double plug In this embodiment the plugs or fuse holders are more or less, tho not completely, rigidly connected to carriers having pins riding in slots which have straight line parts and curved parts, to give the fuse holders a straight line motion and a curved motion. The carriers are connected to pivotal members and are provided with handles by means of which the carriers may be moved on the pivots of the pivotal members. The mechanism will now be described in detail.

Three receptacles 10, each adapted to contain two plugs (see application Ber, No. 353,343, Figs. 19-29) are secured to one another by side plates 11 connected by elongated bolts 12, there being end plates 13 secured to flanges of the side plates by screws 14, to assist in maintaining the receptacles in assembly. The side plates are provided with bent portions 14o by means of which the unit of three receptacles may be secured to a panel board. Each of the side plates is provided with two opposed inverted .l slots l5. for purposes to be described.

For cooperation with three double plug receptacles 10, six plugs 17 4are provided, these being connected in threes', by straps 18 to the ends of which are secured by screws 19, carrier members 20 having pairs of pins 21 disposed within the slots and pins 22 projecting towards the outside of the unit and disposed within the slots 23 of the member 24, the latter being pivoted to the side plates at 25, and provided with a handle 28, as indicated.

It will be noted that the side plates are lined on the sides which face the fuse holders with insulating material 26a of sheet form, whereby arcing or flashover between conducting current parte, and for this reason, the carrier plates ilt outside of the side plates. rather than on the inside.

The operation of the foregoing parts will now be described: When three plugs are to be moved, in unison from the on to the oif position, the handle 26 is grasped and pulled away from the receptacleswhereupon the member 24 will swing on its pivot, thus lifting the carriers and the plugs, out of the receptacles, a slight. distance. Due to the pins 21 riding in the straight part of slots 15, the plugs will move out of the receptacles in a straight line path.

When the plugs are to be moved to the refuse position, the movements described in the foregoingf are continued, but the plugs will now move in arcs concentric with the curved part of the slots 15, due to the pins riding in these curved slot parts.

Indieating means for the device are provided, these comprising marked plates 27 secured to the carrier members by screws 28. It will be seen that as the plugs are moved from on to oil position, the strap 29 which connects the pivoted members and which are above the plugs, will shift with respect to the plugs. So shifting, the strap 29 exposes one or the other of the two `plate markings, as shown in Fig. 4.

Latching means for the device are also provided, these comprising latching plates 30 pivoted to the carriers 20 on pivots 31 and having parts adapted to engage the side plate shoulders 31a in order to prevent the plugs from being moved from on to on positions. These latching plates areV also provided with apertures 32 thru which the hasps of padlocks may be passed to lock the various moving parts of the device and thus prevent movement of the plugs from any one of their various positions, as desired.

Group !.Embodiment (b) Figs. 5-8. Single 43 are provided, each side plate having a slot 45. There are also provided three plugs 47 connected by a plate or strap 48, to which are secured, by screws 49, the carrier members 50, the latter having pairs of pins 51 riding in the slots 45, and also pairs of pins 52, riding in pairs of slots 53 of the pivoted members 54, these being pivoted to the side plates' at 55, and having handles 56.

The operation of the foregoing parts is so much like that of the parts of the embodiment of Figs. 1-4 that no description thereof will be necessary.

It will be noted that two pins 52 for each side are provided, they coacting with two slots 53. 'I'his construction is desirable since the slots 53 in the pivoted members 54 are so designed that they tend to maintain the same motion as the J shaped guide slots and thus prevent the pins 52 from locking the slots 53, and results from the fact that an exceptionally long lever arm is desirable. This construction produces a pantographic parallelogram movement effect.

An indicating plate 57 is provided, this havlng markings which are alternately concealed or exposed by the bent finger 59 secured to one of the pivoted members 54.

Latching means are provided, the same including a spring tensioned pawl 60 pivoted at 61 to the pivotally mounted handle structure 60 and having portions engaging in notches 61a of the pivoted members 54 to hold the handle structure 60a in fixed relation to the pivoted members 54. Handle structure 60a is provided with a lug 60h, when handle 60a is rotated 90 degrees by releasing pawl 60 and re-engaging the latter in slot 61h, lug 80h rests on shoulder 60e of side plate member 40 to prevent throwing the switch to on position.

Group IL Embodiment (a) Figs. 9 to 11. Double plug In this embodiment, the fuse holders are suspended on pivotal links, and a crow bar type lever or cam operates to force the fuse holders out of the receptacle, whereupon they may be swung upon the links. The mechanism will now be described in detail.

In this embodiment side plates 110 are provided with slots 111 and stationary pins 112. The plugs 113 are connected by straps having bent out lugs 114 disposed in and riding in slots 111. Pivoted to these lugs at 115 on strap enlargementslia-are links 116 and handles 117, the links being pivotally connected to the side plates by the pin 118 and slot 119. The handles are formed with cam surfaces 120 engaging the pins 112.

When the parts are to be moved from the on position, the handle 117 is moved towards the center. 'I'he surface 120 will ride on the lower pin 112 and will cause the plugs to move vertical, ly in the slots 111 to oft position. Then the handle, the links 116, the pivots 115, the lugs 114, and the plugs 113 are swung out of the unit on 118 as a pivot, to the re-fuse position.

When the parts are to be moved to the on position, they are first swung from the ref-fuse to the off position in an obvious manner. 'Ihen handle 117 is moved away from the center until its cam'surface end will be under and engaging pin 112. Continued movement oi' the handl 117 will force the plugs into on position.

Now having described the invention and the preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the said invention is to be limited, not to the specic details herein set forth, but only by the scope of the claims which follow.

What we claim is: l. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate secured with respect to the base, and having a slot provided with a straight part and a curved part, a carrier secured with respect to the head and having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slotl and means pivotally mounted with respect to the side plate and pivotally con- `nected to the carrier for moving the latter and curved part, a carrier secured with respect to the head and having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slot and means pivotally mounted with respect to the side plate and pivotally connected to the carrier for moving the latter and causing it and the head to move in a straight line path, and then in a curved path, in accordance with the formation of the slot, and means pivotally secured with respect to said head and adapted to be moved into engagement with a part of said side plate to prevent movement of the head with respect to the base.

3. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate secured with respect to the base, and having a slot provided with a straight part and a curved part, a carrier secured with respect to the head and having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slot and means pivotally mounted with respect to the side plate and pivotally connected to the carrier for moving the latter and causing it and the head to move in a straight line path, and then in a curved path, in accordance with the formation of the slot, and an indicating plate secured with respect to said head and adapted to be concealed or exposed by the pivotally mounted means, as the latter moves with respect to the head, for indicating purposes.

4. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate secured with respect to the base, and having a slot provided with a straight part and a curved part, a carrier secured to the head-and having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slot and means pivotally mounted with respect to the side plate and pivotally connected to the carrier for moving the latter and causing it and the head to move in a straight line path, and then in a. curved path, in accordance with the formation of the slot, and means pivotally mounted with respect to the head and adapted to interlockwith a portion of said first mentioned pivotally mounted means to prevent the latter from being moved and from causing movement of said head.'

5. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate secured with respect to the base, and having a slot provided with a straight part perpendicular to the plane of the base and a curved part, a carrier secured with respect to the head and ,means for guiding the head as it is moved with having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slot, first in the straight part and then in the curved part, and a handle secured with respect to said head.

6. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate having a slot in which rides a pin secured to said head, a handle pivotally connected to said base by a link and pivotally connected to said pin, and having a cam surface adapted to ride on a part of said base as the handle is rotated on the latter, the handle, the head, and the link being rotatable as a unit on the link pivot.

'7. In a switch, a base, a head for co-o'peration therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate having a slot in which rides a pin secured to said base, a handle on said head, a link pivotally connecting said handle to said base, the head, handle, and link being rotatable as a unit on the stationary pivot of the link.

8. In a switch, a base, a head adapted to be moved towards and away from the base, and

i respect to the receptacle whereby the he'ad moves in a straight line path perpendicular to the base as the plug approaches or recedes from the base, and, in a different part of its path of movement, moves in a curved path, the guiding means including spaced pins riding in a statonary guide slot which is straight and perpendicular to the base for a portion and curved for asecond portion.

9. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with respect to the base, said means including a side plate secured with respect to the base, and having a slot provided with a straight part and a curved part, a carrier secured with respect to the head and having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slot, and means pivotally mounted with respect to the side plate and pivotally connected to the carrier for moving the latter and causing it and the head to move in a straight line path, and then in a curved path, in accordance with the formation of the slot, and indicating means for indicating the relative positions of the base and the head.

10. In a switch, a base, a head for co-operation therewith, and means for moving the head with 125 respect to the base, said means including a side plate secured with respect to the base, and having a slot provided with a straight part and a curved part, a carrier secured with respect to the head and having spaced pins adapted to ride in said slot and means pivotally mounted with respect to the side plate and pivotally connected to the carrier for moving the latter and causing it and the head to move in a straight line path, and then in a curved path, in accordance with 135 the formation of the slot, and interlock means for locking said head with respect to said base.

11. In a switch, a base, a head adapted to be moved towards and away from the base, and means for guiding the head `in such movement 1m whereby the head moves in a straight line path as it approaches or recedes from the base, and in a different part of itspath of movement moves in a curved path, guiding means including spaced pins riding in a stationary guide slot which is 15,5 straight for a portion and curved for a second portion.

HARRISON J. L. FRANK. JOSEPH A. MESSING.

WILLIAM A. HARPER. 

